Girls Basketball
Punahou roars past Sierra Pacific to notch first win in Paani Basketball Invitational


Brandon Ching | ScoringLive
December 1, 2023, 11:34pm

  

Fri, Dec 1, 2023 @ Punahou

Sierra Pacific

42

Punahou

50

Final 1 2 3 4  
Sierra Pacific 9 1641342
Punahou (1-8, 6-12) 12 10 17 1150
Ahnastaziah Wright 16 pts  6/6 FTs
Apjok Ayuen 10 pts  2 3pm  0/0 FTs


Ahnastaziah Wright netted 16 points and Keilani Stewart added 14 to help the Buffanblu beat Sierra Pacific (Hanford, California), 50-42 in the nightcap of the Punahou Paani Basketball Invitational at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.

Punahou dropped its first two games in the Invitational to Campbell (49-43) and San Juan Hills (San Juan Capistrano, California) (62-41) but got back on track with a win over the Golden Bears.

Wright and Stewart combined to hit 13 of the team's 14 free throw attempts.

Apjok Ayuen led Sierra Pacific with 10 points with a pair of triples and gave the Golden Bears a 23-14 lead. 

The Buffanblu got within one, 23-22 after a 8-0 run. Kaua McNamara cut down the middle, Halia Hoapili added a 3-pointer and Stewart completed a 3-point play.

Nyang Ayuen converted a pair of free throws for a 25-22 lead at halftime.

Wright broke up a 29-all tie with a transition bucket and Stewart followed up with a pair of free throws. Wright converted an assist from Stewart and Piialoha Lloyd hit a jumper before Wright swished free throws to cap a 10-0 run to go up 10 going into the fourth.

The Buffanblu led by as much as 17 in the final period before the Golden Bears went on a 11-2 run to close out the game.

Andi Jones and Jonna Bush each added eight points for the Golden Bears. 

Punahou faces San Clemente (California) tomorrow at 10 am while Sierra Pacific takes on Campbell at 11:30 am on the final day of the Invitational.


Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].




Show your support

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ScoringLive continue its mission to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage of high school sports in the state of Hawaii and beyond.

Please consider making a contribution today.


IMAGE GALLERY


MORE STORIES

Track and field proposals among those being considered at HIADA conference

Athletics administrators from across the state are gathered at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, where the...

HHSAA inducts 44th class into Hall of Honor

Twelve student-athletes from 10 different schools and representing three of the state's leagues were...

Iolani's Nakanelua garners All-Hawaii Player of the Year honors

Senior setter Bailey Nakanelua was the engine that helped drive the Raiders back to the top of state...

Pearl City's Ngirmidol headlines All-OIA Division II picks

Chargers' setter Marley Ngirmidol named Player of the Year in OIA Division II; Pearl City head coach...

Moanalua sweeps All-OIA East Boys Volleyball top honors

Na Menehune outside hitter Lionel Gannon named Player of the Year and head coach Alan Cabanting named...

Mililani's Kimura named All-OIA West Player of the Year

Senior OH Seth Kimura was joined by teammate Kaito Duranceau on the first team; Trojans' head coach Gabriel...